Musical tuning device



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' MUSICAL TUNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l A HI I I [Ila INVENTOR m ATTORNEY.

Sept. 12, 1939. w. D. GLADSTONE MUSICAL TUNING DEVICE Filed Feb. 23, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 n i 34 ,I H1 I} 36 1 E I 3.

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Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MUSICAL TUNING DEVICE Application February 23, 1937, Serial No. 126,971

3 Claims.

My invention relates to devices for tuning percussion musical instruments and especially to the tuning of the drums.

The principal object of my invention is to pro -vide means whereby the diaphragms of a drum may be controlled independently and may also be controlled in unison, by means of a single key movement which will affect the degree of tautness of the diaphragm which is so essential in obtaining the proper tone and resonance of the two diaphragms of a drum.

Another object of the particular forms of my device is to dispense with unusual projections beyond either end of the drum. The angular 15. ends of the adjusting rods, by means of which they can be rotated, are situated below the top of the batter head counter hoop.

Other objects of my invention will appear during the course of the detailed specification referring to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front view of one of the tuning devices of my invention shown attached to a drum.

Figure 2 is a section through the line 22 of 25Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through a key adapted to operate with the devices of my invention.

Figure 5 is a view partly in section of the two drum head adjusting rods, taken apart.

Figure 6 is a front view of a modified form of the device of my invention, shown attached to a drum.

5' Figure 7 is a section through the line 'II of Figure 6.

In the particular form of a device of my invention shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, A represents the drum which is provided with the usual 40, shell I0, counter hoop II, at the batter head end of the drum. The batter head diaphragm I2 of the drum passes over the inwardly bent portion I3 of the side I0, thence downwardly and around the flesh hoop I4 and the counter hoop 4.5.1 abutting upon the flesh hoop I4 and being vertically movable along the side I I] of the drum;

I5 is a tubular supporting member having lugs or legs I6 which are rigidly secured to the side I0 of the drum in any conventional manner,

; for instance, by means of screws II-I'I. The tubular member I5 is provided interiorly with left and right hand threadings, and within this supporting member is a tubular member I8, the upper smooth and preferably round end of which 5dgterminates in a key-receiving member I9. The

free end of the member I8 is exteriorly threaded to thread with the threaded interior bore of the supporting member I5. The tubular member I8 passes also through a bore of the counter hoop II at the batter head end of the drum, abutting with its key receiving member I9 against the bore, thereby holding the counter hoop and thus the batter head end in any adjusting position.

It will thus be seen that if the angular recess 20 of the key shown in Figure 4 be placed over the element I 9 of the tubular member I8, and be revolved in one direction, the tubular member I8 will move downwardly, carrying along the counter hoop I I, thus tightening the batter head diaphragm I2, and that a reverse movement of the key will loosen the batter head diaphragm I2.

Also, threaded within the free end of the supporting member I5 and vertically movable therein, is a second threaded member 2|. This member 2| is passed through a bore of the counter hoop I I' of the snare head and carries a fixed collar 22 at its outer end, the collar abutting upon the bore of the snare end of the drum. The snare head diaphragm I2 of the drum passes over the inwardly bent portion I3 of the side of the drum, thence downwardly and around the flesh hoop I4, abutting upon the hoop II' and being vertically movable along the side III of the drum.

The member 2| extends beyond its threaded portion and terminates in a short reduced end 23 of angular cross section, over which a tubular member 24 of angular interior configuration is placed fixed in any suitable manner to the shoulder forming the reduced end 23 of member 2|, and adapted to receive a control means to be described hereinafter.

Loosely extending within the tubular member I8 controlling the batter head diaphragm I2, and passing through the hollow key member I9, to form a key member 25 is a rod 26 having its stem of preferably angular configuration extended down into the member 24 of the snare head controlling member 2|, to operatively engage therewith.

It is evident that a revolution of the rod 26 will tighten, or loosen, the snare head diaphragm I2 dependent upon the direction of the revolution.

The key shown in Figure 4 has three operating recesses, recess 20 being formed to fit the member I9 for tightening the batter head diaphragm I2, the recess 21 for the snare head diaphragm I2 and the recess 28 in the central stem of the key is so formed that the outer enlarged portion will fit the element 19 and the inner reduced portion will fit the element 25, and hence, it is evident that when this master portion 28 of the key is employed it Will revolve both the tubular member E3 and the member 26, thus simultaneously tightening or loosening both the batter head diaphragm and the snare head diaphragm, it being noted that the threads in the supporting member i5 relative to the members l8 and 26 are left hand threads 59 and right hand threads 5i respectively.

.28 simplicity and ease of its removal from and attachment to a drum are evident when it is considered that the device can be disassembled by simply revolving the member 58 from its threaded attachment, and withdrawing it from the member is, and then from its attachment from the counter hoop H of the batter head. The same holds good with reference to the removal from, or attachment to the snare head operating member 2!.

The usual method for operating the device consists in alternatingly tightening the diaphragms l2, it, by the employment of the ends or" the key shown in Figure 4 until the desired resonance or tone is obtained. This condition is maintained until, because of atmospheric conditions, or otherwise, the diaphragms have become unduly loosed or tightened in which event both diaphragms are simultaneously and uniformly tightened, or loosened, by the employment of the key end 28 as above described to produce the original desired resonance or tune, all of which operations are performed at the batter head portions of the drum, thus avoiding the necessity of reversing the drum.

In the modified form of my invention illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, there is shown a device of the same general type as that illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive.

This particular form of device of my invention consists of a supporting member 30, having the two extended lugs 3l--3i, which are fixedly attached to the side 32 of a drum A by means of the screws That portion of the device adapted for tightening, or loosening the batter head diaphragm is exactly of the same construction as shown and described with reference to Figures 1 to 5, and it is believed that a brief mentioning of the batter head tightening member will sufiice to make the construction of this modification clear.

That portion of the device adapted for tightening, or loosening, the batter head diaphragm 36 consists of a hollow rod the upper end of which carries the key receiving member 3t, while the lower end 3? of the rod being externally threaded to thread with the threaded bore 38 of the supporting member 38. The rod passes also through an opening 39 of the batter head tightening means, abutting with its key receiving member 35 upon the opening 39.

It is evident that a revolution of the rod 35 will tighten, or loosen, the batter head diaphragm dependent upon the direction of revolution.

The elements of construction adapted for tightening, or loosening, the snare head diaphragm consists of a rod 40, the upper end of which terminates in an extended reduced angular portion M, the rod carrying a fixed collar 32 and having an intermediate threaded portion 63. The rod till passes through the opening id in the counter hoop 45 of the snare head, abutting with its collar 42 upon the bore. It also passes through the threaded opening of the supporting member 30, the reduced angular portion 52 of the member ii! extending into the tubular member M of angular interior configuration loosely positioned within the tubular tightening member 35. A key receiving member 41 passes through an opening in the key receiving member 36 and is maintained from vertical movement as shown. The key receiving member extends downwardly into the tubular member 35 and into the reduced angular member 46 which is positioned within the tubular member il,

The mode of operation of this modified form is accomplished substantially the same way by means of the key illustrated in Figure 4, as has been described with the preferred embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5.

I do not limit myself to the particular size, shape, number, arrangement or material of parts as shown and described, as these are given simply as a means for clearly explaining my invention.

What I claim is:

1. In a drum tuning device, in combination, a supporting member fixedly attachable to the side of a drum, a tubular adjusting rod detachably engageable with a counter hoop of a drum, said rod having threaded adjusting engagement with said supporting member, an end portion of said tubular rod being accessible beyond and adjacent the point of engagement of said rod with the counter hoop by means of which the rod can be individually rotated, a second adjusting rod detachably engageable with the other counter hoop of a drum and having threaded adjusting engagemcnt with supporting member, said second adjusting rod the end portion of which is within said supporting member is of reduced angular cross-section, a cooperative member loosely positioned within the first named revoluble adjusting rod having its inner end extended to be received in firm engagement with the angular extension of the second adjusting rod, an end portion of said cooperative member accessible from the outer end extending beyond and adjacent to, the end portion of said tubular rod, by means of which said second adjusting rod is individually rotated, and coupling means disconnectively engageable concomitantlywith the outer end portion of said tubular rod and with the end portion of said rod member positioned within said tubular rod and forming a cooperative part or said second adjusting rod, and being thus adapted for simultaneously rotating both of said adjusting rods together as a unit.

2. In a drum tuning device, in combination, a supporting member fixedly attachable to the side of a drum, a tubular adjusting rod detachably engageable with a counter hoop of a drum, said rod having threaded adjusting engagement with said supporting member, an end portion of said tubular rod being accessible beyond and adjacent the point of engagement of said rod with the counter hoop by means of which the rod can be individually rotated, a second adjusting rod detachably engageable with the other counter hoop or" a drum and having threaded adjusting engagement with said supporting member, said second adjusting rod having its free end terminating into an angular shaped extension, a cooperative tubular member loosely positioned within the first named revoluble adjusting rod and having its short tubular inner end adapted to firmly receive the said angular extension of the second adjusting rod, an end portion of said cooperating rod accessible from the outer end extending beyond, and adjacent to the end portion of said first named tubular adjusting rod, by means of which said second adjusting rod is individually rotated.

3. In a drum tuning device, in combination, a supporting member fixedly attachable to the side of a drum, a tubular adjusting rod detachably engageable with a counter hoop of a. drum, said rod having threaded adjusting engagement with said supporting member, an end portion of said tubular rod being accessible beyond and adjacent the point of engagement of said rod with the counter hoop by means of which the rod can be individually rotated, a second adjusting rod detachably engageable with the other counter hoop of a drum and having threaded adjusting engagement with said supporting member, said second adjusting rod having its free end terminating into an angular shaped extension, a cooperative tubular member loosely positioned within the first named revoluble adjusting rod and having its short tubular inner end adapted to firmly receive the said angular extension of the second adjusting rod, an end portion of said cooperating rod accessible from the outer end extending beyond, and adjacent to the end portion of said first named tubular adjusting rod, by means of which said second adjusting rod is individually rotated, and coupling means disconnectively engageable concomitantly with the outer end portion of said tubular rod and with the end portion of said rod member positioned within said tubular rod and forming a cooperative part of said second adjusting rod, and being thus adapted for simultaneously rotating both of said adjusting rods together as a unit.

WILLIAM D. GLADSTONE. 

